The Hong Kong Dolphin Watch Lantau Tour NP 360
Every Sunday in July to September 2025 - Book NOW!
Me Jamie, your host, I am English and I have lived in Hong Kong for 53 years - I know the place.
I have personally completed 2,340+ Private Tours and Experiences (over 6,500+ guests) since April 2011 and I am considered one of the finest Private Tour Guides in Asia.
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Hong Kong Dolphin Watch Lantau Tour NP 360 now available
Every Sunday in July to September 2025 - Book NOW!
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This awesome tour was the brainchild of my great friend Amy of Hong Kong Greeters who put together Hong Kong Dolphin Watch and NP 360 to create this memorable tour | experience
Lantau Island is an enchanting place in Hong Kong and so is this incredibly value for money trip. Join us for an unforgettable full-day guided tour – a collaboration between HK Dolphinwatch x Ngong Ping 360.
I have known Amy for a very long time and she is an incredible young lady and continues to pull the proverbial rabbit out of the hat creating this new experience | tour which I am pretty sure will sell out every Sunday
Why Book this tour ?
Start your adventure aboard the Hong Kong DolphinWatch cruiser (capacity for up to fifty people), where you’ll have the chance to sail in the vital sanctuary of the majestic Chinese White Dolphins to spot them in their natural habitat. Additionally, you will immerse yourself in the rich culture of Lantau by visiting the charming fishing village of Tai O, the Big Buddha, and Po Lin monastery. Lastly, experience the breathtaking views from the Ngong Ping Cable Car.
This guided tour not only offers a unique opportunity to witness wildlife conservation and sustainable eco-tourism in action but also allows you to connect with the beauty of nature and the vibrant local culture. Join us for a day filled with adventure, learning, and unforgettable memories!
What to Expect:
Tsim Sha Tsui Meeting Point: Meet at Middle Road in Tsim Sha Tsui (behind the Peninsula Hotel) to board the coach to Lantau Island
Journey to Tung Chung: During the short transfer, your expert dolphin guide will share insights about the rare Chinese White Dolphins
Yi O Dolphin Spotting: Arrive at Yi O, where the muddy waters meet the clear blue sea—a perfect spot to observe the dolphins in their natural habitat
Explore Tai O: After disembarking, enjoy a guided walking tour of the charming fishing village of Tai O. Experience local street food, shop for souvenirs, and capture stunning photographs
Visit the Big Buddha: Continue your tour to the Tian Tan Buddha with your NP360 guide, the largest seated bronze Buddha in East Asia. Learn about its significance and history of this iconic spiritual site in Hong Kong
Discover Po Lin Monastery: Your guide will continue to share insights about this historic monastery, which has been a spiritual haven for over 100 years
Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car: Enjoy breathtaking views as you ride the NP360 cable car, concluding your adventure above the clouds before returning to Tung Chung
For more details and to book the tour simply click on the link above
I have never taken the actual 4 hour Dolphin Watch tour, but have taken the typical Tai O experience boat which has a very low success rate in seeing them, I have seen them twice only and it was an awesome spectacle, I am guessing the odds of seeing them are much greater with this tour!
I put together some information (see below) I think a little differently given that nobody seems to mention that they could have just moved house, there is a much large population of them near Macau which is 60km away - the South China coastline is give or take 30,000 km in length so the odds of seeing the dolphins in Hong Kong are very low at the best of times but the Government should be commended for its efforts along with people like Dolphin Watch for making sure the Dolphins still “live” in Hong Kong so to speak.
Here is everything you need to know about the Pink Dolphins
The Chinese Pink Dolphins in Hong Kong
The pink dolphins found around Tai O on Lantau Island and in Hong Kong waters are a fascinating and endangered marine species. Below is a detailed OVERVIEW about their population, species, unique coloration, boat tours, and relevant historical and ecological data.
Species and Appearance
The pink dolphins in Hong Kong are Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins (Sousa chinensis), also known as Chinese white dolphins. Despite the name, they are famous for their distinctive pink hue, particularly in Hong Kong waters.
Why do they look pink?
These dolphins are not born pink. Calves are born dark grey, which lightens to a mottled grey in their juvenile stage and eventually becomes pink in adulthood. The pink coloration is not due to pigmentation but rather the visibility of blood vessels beneath their skin. In Hong Kong’s murky waters, where sunlight penetration is low, their skin lacks pigmentation, making the blood vessels more visible, giving them a pink appearance. This effect is amplified when they exert energy, such as when swimming or jumping, similar to a human flushing during exercise.
Population in Hong Kong
The population of pink dolphins in Hong Kong has significantly declined over the past few decades due to human activities. Here are the key points:
Current Population: As of recent estimates, there are approximately 32 – 34 individuals in Hong Kong waters, with some sources reporting as low as 3 – 4 dolphins remaining in the North Lantau area near the Hong Kong International Airport.
In 2003, the population was estimated at 158, dropping to 47 in 2017, 34 in 2023, and as low as 32 in 2021.
The broader Pearl River Estuary population, which includes Hong Kong and Macau waters, is estimated at around 2,000–2,500 individuals, though this number is also declining.
Decline
Causes: The population has plummeted by 70–80% over the past 15 years due to:
Habitat loss: Land reclamation projects, such as the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge and the third runway at Chek Lap Kok airport, have reduced their habitat.
Pollution: Industrial and agricultural runoff, plastics, and heavy metals contaminate their waters, leading to diseases and low calf survival rates (over 40% of newborns disappear after being sighted once).
Marine traffic: High-speed ferries, fishing vessels, and other boats cause underwater noise pollution and risk collisions, as seen in the case of dolphin WL212, whose tail was nearly severed by a boat turbine in 2015.
Overfishing: Reduced prey availability due to unsustainable fishing practices.
Climate change: Rising sea levels and habitat degradation further threaten their survival.
Conservation Status: The Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. In Hong Kong, they are protected under the Wild Animals Protection Ordinance (Cap. 170) and the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap. 586). They are also listed in CITES Appendix I and CMS Appendix II, indicating their threatened status and need for international protection.
History in Hong Kong
Cultural Significance: The pink dolphins have been a symbol of Hong Kong since the 17th century, with the first documented sighting by British traveler Peter Mundy in 1637 near the Pearl River. They were chosen as the official mascot for Hong Kong’s 1997 handover to China, highlighting their cultural importance.
Historical Presence: Historically, these dolphins thrived in the Pearl River Estuary, particularly around Lantau Island, Tai O, Chek Lap Kok, and Peng Chau, where brackish waters provide ideal feeding grounds.
Conservation Efforts:
The Hong Kong Government and NGOs like the Hong Kong Dolphin Conservation Society (HKDCS) and WWF-Hong Kong have established marine parks, such as Sha Chau and Lung Kwu Chau Marine Park and Brothers Marine Park, to protect dolphin habitats. The South Lantau Marine Park was designated in 2022 to compensate for construction impacts.
Campaigns like the HKDCS Thirty Dolphins (2015) and the 30 Runway Victims (2014) raised awareness about the dolphins’ plight.The Code of Conduct for Dolphin Watching by the Agriculture, Fisheries, and Conservation Department (AFCD) regulates tourism to minimize disturbance.
Temporary Rebound: During the COVID-19 pandemic (2020), a temporary reduction in ferry traffic led to a 30% increase in dolphin sightings, but conservationists fear this was temporary, and numbers continue to decline.
.Relevant Data and History
Habitat: Pink dolphins prefer shallow coastal waters (<30 meters deep) in the Pearl River Estuary, particularly around North Lantau (near Castle Peak, Sha Chau, Lung Kwu Chau, and Chek Lap Kok) and South Lantau (Fan Lau and Soko Islands).
Behavior: They typically swim in small groups of 1–5 individuals, with 51.2% of groups having 1–2 dolphins and only 5.9% having more than 10. They surface for air every 2–8 minutes, making sightings brief but spectacular.Physical Characteristics: Adult males weigh 150–230 kg, significantly heavier than other dolphin species like the dusky dolphin (78–85 kg).
They are less acrobatic, creating large splashes rather than high jumps.
Lifespan: In Hong Kong, their average lifespan is shorter than other wild populations due to environmental stressors, often living half as long as their counterparts elsewhere.
This tells me nothing! so I did a bit of research
According to the WWF the Chinese white dolphin has a long life expectancy of up to 40 years, though in Hong Kong most Chinese White Dolphins live into their 30s. Scientists who study the dolphin are able to work out its age by examining its teeth.
Threats: The dolphins face seven critical threats, all human-related:
Habitat loss from land reclamation (e.g., airport expansion, artificial islands).
Reduced prey due to overfishing.
Underwater noise from construction and boats.
Vessel strikes.
Pollution (plastics, fertilizers, heavy metals).
Entanglement in fishing nets.
Rising sea levels due to climate change.
Conservation Efforts:
Marine parks like Sha Chau and Lung Kwu Chau and the planned North Lantau Marine Park aim to protect dolphin habitats with SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, time-bound) conservation goals.
The WWF-Hong Kong Dolphin Watching Interpreter Pilot Programme educates tourists on eco-friendly practices.Rerouting high-speed ferries and banning harmful fishing practices are proposed to reduce disturbances.Cultural Impact: The dolphins are a beloved symbol, voted Hong Kong’s favorite marine animal in 2007. However, many locals remain unaware of their plight, necessitating greater public education.
Conclusion
The pink dolphins of Hong Kong, or Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins, are a vulnerable species with a dwindling population of approximately 32 –34 individuals in Hong Kong waters as of recent estimates. Their pink coloration results from visible blood vessels in their skin, a trait unique to Hong Kong’s population. Threats like habitat loss, pollution, and marine traffic have driven their decline, despite conservation efforts like marine parks and public awareness campaigns.
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… the smile that launched a thousand tours - this is Amy and she is an amazing private tour guide and has a team of fabulous guides and offers all sorts of Private Tours of Hong Kong and she is one of the few companies who do a Vegetarian food tour which is consistently rated as the best in Hong Kong… contact Amy today through her website directly by clicking on the link above, she would love to hear from you
My insider tip
Please note that in general if you book a tour on Viator or Tripadvisor you generally have NO control over what guide will lead your Private Tour of Hong Kong and this is the most important component of the tour. I urge you to check the actual company website and book via their website and do not forget to read Tripadvisor reviews as well.
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